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Fodor’s lists world’s 100 top hotels

Travel guide book chooses inns in categories from classics to culinary gems

"Banyan Tree, Seychelles the Banyan Tree Seychelles is arguably the most romantic resort on the island of Mahe, with large, quasi-French Colonial villas that ooze luxury and privacy," Fodors writes.

Fri., Oct. 4, 2013

Fodor’s Travel, the travel guide, has announced its list of the world’s 100 top hotels. The third-annual list features hotels chosen across eight categories, including suites, culinary gems, urban hotels and beach retreats.

Explained Arabella Bowen, Fodor’s Travel, executive editorial director: “To compile the Fodor’s 100, we look for properties within emerging destinations, trends our editors have been seeing throughout the year, new and noteworthy openings, and enduring favourites to create a list that will inspire all types of travel and traveller.”

More than 40 countries are represented. Up-and-comingotspots cuch as Myanmar and Colombia make their first appearance on the list. With 30 hotels chosen, Europe tops the list, although the U.S. is a close second.

Fodor’s Travel global contributors nominate the best hotels in the destinations they live and write in. Fodor’s senior editorial team deliberated on the picks. These include, by category:

Creative conversions: Adaptive reuse offers new lives to old buildings, such as former factories, monasteries and train stations. Winners include: Hotel Santa Teresa, in Brazil; Hotel du Vin, in Scotland, and Mandarin Oriental Prague, in the Czech Republic.

“The only property on Anse Intendance, one of Seychelles’ most beautiful beaches, the Banyan Tree Seychelles is arguably the most romantic resort on the island of Mahe, with large, quasi-French Colonial villas that ooze luxury and privacy,” writes Fodor’s, which chose the hotel for itslocation on Mahe’s best beach and describes the hotel as “absolutely idyllic for honeymooners and romance-seekers,” as well as praising it for its Great Thai restaurant.

“The luxurious Halekulani in Honolulu, Hawaii, exemplifies the translation of its name, the “house befitting heaven,” and, from the moment you step into the lobby, the attention to detail and impeccable service wrap you in privilege at this beachfront location away from Waikiki’s bustle,” write the guidebook’s authors, who chose the hotel for its location on a small, intimate beach, for its “heavenly interior spaces, wonderful dining opportunities, world-class service, and artsy perqs.”

“Pimalai’s mantra is “peace, serenity and solitude,” explaining why royalty and celebrities regularly favor the elegant resort, which offers seductive yet unpretentious luxury in a place where the rainforest meets the sea, fronting a stunning beach.”

Under the “home-suite-homes” category, Fodor’s chose Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel: “An intimate size and focus on local art and products helped this hotel earn raves as the ‘anti chain-hotel Toronto experience;’ really, it’s a sort of community event space, with artist-designed guest rooms and an emphasis on everything that is one-of-a-kind,” write the authors, who pick the hotel for itslocal flavour, intimate service and setting, idiosyncratic room design, and friendly, bohemian style.

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